The transport of femtosecond-laser-excited nonequilibrium electrons across polycrystalline and single-crystalline gold films has been investigated through time-of-Aight measurements.The thicknesses of the films range from 25 to 400 nm. Ballistic electrons as well as electrons interacting with other electrons and/or with the lattice have been observed. The ballistic component dominates the transport in the thinner films, whereas the interactive transport mechanism is dominant at the upper end of the thickness range. A slower effective velocity of the interactive component is observed in the polycrystalline samples, and is assumed to arise from the presence of grain boundaries. The reAection coeKcient of excited electrons at the grain boundaries is extracted from the experiment and is estimated to be r = -0. 12.
Purpose
This study investigated the initial feasibility of using femtosecond laser trabeculotomy (FLT) to create open channels through the trabecular meshwork into Schlemm's canal to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in a perfused anterior segment model.
Methods
Human anterior segments (12 eyes) were assigned to either treatment (
n
= 6) or sham treatment (
n
= 6) groups. Both groups were perfused until a baseline IOP was recorded upon which a direct FLT treatment or a sham treatment was administered. IOP was recorded before and after the treatment. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography and second harmonic generation imaging we used to investigate the FLT channels.
Results
In the FLT group, there was a significant mean decrease in the IOP of 22% compared with the pre-FLT IOP (7.13 ± 2.95 mm Hg to 5.34 ± 1.62 mm Hg;
P
< 0.05). In the control group, the post-sham IOP remained relatively unchanged compared with the pre-sham IOP (6.39 ± 3.69 mm Hg to 6.67 ± 4.12 mm Hg).
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that FLT treatment can significantly decrease the IOP in a perfusion model and may provide a potential noninvasive treatment option for primary open angle glaucoma.
Translational Relevance
Investigating the use of femtosecond lasers for photodisrupting the trabecular meshwork can lead to a clinically relevant alternative to current glaucoma procedures.
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